The Adventure Continues

Ok, this post is not for the faint-of-heart. We said goodbye to my family on Sunday then drove home late Sunday night. Monday morning we got busy with packing (we move on FRIDAY!!!). Zach had a Dr. appt scheduled to check out his leg to be sure it is healing ok in Manila at 4 pm. While we were getting ready to leave, he was playing in the living room and managed to bash his face into the coffee table. Blood started pouring from his nose and mouth. Once we could get a little closer look, it was clear that he needed stitches. He was bleeding from just above his upper teeth as well as from a jagged, gaping cut that went clear through his lower lip. We jumped in the car to head to the ER, leaving the other 2 kids with the helpers. On the way there, the bleeding slowed down so we decided to go ahead and run up to Manila to the better hospital (coincidentally the same one where his appt with the orthopedist was scheduled). He was in a lot of pain, and it was a noisy drive, but we made it to the ER safely by 3 pm. After the Dr looked at him, he immediately called the plastic surgeon and scheduled Zach to have reconstructive surgery at 7 pm. Since we had some time to wait, we decided to keep our appt with the ortho and went upstairs to his office. Thankfully, his report was encouraging and he is quite certain that Zach will be back to normal in a few months. Long story short, Zach was in surgery for more than 2 hours. The plastic surgeon said it looked like his lip had exploded from the inside. Apparently, the cut you can see from the top (check out the pics) is nothing compared to the damage that was lower on his lower lip. The cut went clear through his lip so he got 3 stitches on the outside of his lip, and the Dr. said he lost track of how many inside - he measured it in the number of hours it took to reconstruct the mess. Zach had a very difficult time coming out from anesthesia and it was a long night, but we are all home now, and he is doing ok.

Meanwhile, we are crazily trying to continue packing and getting ready for our move. Mikayla and Steve are at the dentist now for a final check up on her teeth. Then tomorrow (Wed), we drive up to Manila to see my parents one last time as they stop through Manila on their way home. We will stay overnight as Zach has a check up with the plastic surgeon on Thursday morning. At that time, we will find out if he found anyone in Bicol qualified to take the stitches out. If not, then Zach and I may end up going to Bicol a few days after the rest of the family. Then we will get home Thursday afternoon and the movers arrive Friday morning at 8. We will supervise the loading for a couple hours then start driving to meet the crew down there the next morning after we get a little sleep.

As you can see, we definitely need your prayers during this crazy week. Praise God with us that there were no fractures in his face, that the plastic surgeon was able to put him back together, and that he is doing well today. Pray that it would heal quickly with no infection and that there would be someone in Bicol who can take the stitches out. Pray for our whole family in the chaos of this week for endurance and peace in the midst of turmoil.

Here are a few pics - if you can stomach them:

Like I said, the visible cuts here are apparently not nearly as bad as the gash down lower, but this gives you an idea. Poor kid! We have sure been taking advantage of our medical insurance this past year - a whole lot more effectively than I would like!

Appreciate your prayers!